Does God Feel Distant?

 Does God Feel Distant?

He is with you, believe it. 

 

 

There are times in our lives when we feel that God has abandoned us. It seems that He doesn’t hear and we don’t feel His presence or see His movements in our lives.

I have experienced the same.

God has opened my eyes to the reality of it, and I have listened to Him and grown in Him.

The matter is an issue of faith.

I want you to read this verse.

“But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.”—Matt. 12:36

Now a lot of preachers want to use this verse to impose fear.

But, I want you to see that Jesus is telling us that God hears every word. God is so close to us and so interested in us, that every word we say will be shown back to us when we see Him.

If you are saved and know Him, then this is not a scary thing. It spurs us to greater things.

So, read this verse and believe it. Believe it like God is standing before you telling it to you.

We are made righteous and our faith comes when we believe the Word God has given us. (Rom.10:17, Rom. 4:3)

So, when we think God is not listening or doesn’t hear, we can stand on this verse and say.

“No! God hears every idle word!” And believe it.

It’s not like sending a text message to a friend and we don’t hear back. So, we think “Did he get the text?”

God got it. We can KNOW he got it, because of this verse. We put our faith in it and Him.

Daniel prayed and heard nothing back. Till finally an angel came and said. We got your prayer the minute you started praying. And I came to answer but had to fight through the Enemy to get here. (Dan. 10:1-21)

Trust God. Trust His Word.

Our relationship with God is based upon faith. Our faith grows when we trust his Word and stand on it, and see Him move in our lives

Satan is working to keep you from trusting Him. To keep you from knowing Him. He seeks to destroy you and keep your faith weak. To keep you from the battlefield.

This why we cannot trust our feelings. We are flesh. We have a corrupted nature. We live in a world that is full of distraction, and we have an enemy trying to destroy us.

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”—Prov. 3:5-6

When everything tells us God has abandoned us and is not listening. When the enemy whispers into our mind that we sin too much for God, or that God has left us or even that He is testing us.

We can stand on the promises of God. We can rely on His Word and the things He has done for us in the past. That is our testimony. (Rev. 12:11)

So we say “No! I trust in the Lord. I’m leaning on Him and the Word says He will direct my paths!”

Believe it. Faith is the oil for our lamps.  (Matt. 25: 1-13)

Why do I say that you must say it out loud?

Have you seen movies where two armies oppose each other and a general rides on a horse in front of his men and gives them great words of encouragement?

He is building faith. He is building encouragement. He is trying to drive out fear and stir up morale for the coming battle.

“Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” —(Rom. 10:17)

When we speak the Word, we also hear the Word and it stirs up our faith in us if we are willing to believe it. Speaking the Word causes things to happen in reality. God says “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”—(Isa 55:11)

God’s Word says “I will never leave you nor forsake you”—Heb. 13:5

He is with us. Believe it. Say it to yourself.

“God will never leave me nor forsake me.”

Believe it. Drive the fear and doubt away.

Will the Shepherd abandon the Sheep? ( Psalm 23)

No. He leads us to still waters. He protects us with his rod. His staff comforts us.

Because He is with us. We believe it and know it. He is here.

Do you know the Shepherd?

None of this matters if you’ve never turned to Him and asked Him to save you. It’s the same faith. He calls us and we realize that we need Him.

Then, we hear the Word He gives us and we believe it and turn to Him. Asking Him to save us. Then, He washes us clean in the Blood of Jesus Christ and we are saved and begin to grow in Him. Just ask Him to save you. (Rom.10:9-10)

This world is tough. But, the toughness of this world is designed to cause us to turn to Him. Because He is our only Hope.

He is with us.

Believe it. No matter what things look like.

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photo by pexels. 

 

The Holy Spirit Vs. The Antichrist Spirit

 Both are working in this world.

 

The spirit of antichrist is mentioned in God’s Word ( 1 John 2:18, 22,  1 John 4:1-6, 2 John 7 KJV) but very little is known of it. It is rarely mentioned in sermons or teachings to the saints.  It is important to know what this is, because it is working in our world today. This spirit is part of the enemy network that we face, and we must know our enemy, so that “we are not ignorant of his devices”  ( 2 Cor. 2:11)

In essence, the spirit of antichrist does similar work as the Holy Spirit, only for a different cause. Remember, the word “Anti” in the word Anti-Christ does not mean opposite or against necessarily, it means “instead of”.  Likewise, the antichrist spirit is a spirit that comes instead of the Holy Spirit, working to replace Jesus. 

Understand, I am not saying it is the same spirit, but that it behaves in a similar manner. Satan’s work, always mimics God’s work or creation, but is twisted.

We must look at the traits of the Holy Spirit, and by doing so we can also see the traits of the spirit of antichrist. Now, according to God’s Word, the Holy Spirit came to earth on the day of Pentecost, to dwell in the Apostles, and subsequent generations of believers, after the ascension of Jesus into heaven. But, we also know that in old times, before the ascension, the Holy Spirit did work on the earth and came upon people for temporary purposes. Such as prophesying, or driving Jesus into the wilderness.  (Acts 2:1-13,  Matt. 4:1, Mark 1:12, Numbers 11:26-29,  1 Sam. 10:9-12)           

The antichrist spirit is a spirit from Satan, and we see it working after Jesus ascended as well. (1 John 2:18, 22, 1 John 4:1-6, 2 John 7)  Can we assume that this spirit became active at some point after the Holy Spirit came? Can we also assume that this spirit was active in old times? I do. When we look at the ancient pantheons of gods in every people group on earth, do we not see Lucifer and his fallen angels who rule this fallen world? Would not the antichrist spirit be moving at that time as well?  The enemy’s kingdom is a virtual mirror image of the Lord’s Kingdom. “Instead of” is the key. For example, an orphanage that helps kids, is a wonderful thing, they do good work.  But, if it is not done in the name of Jesus, under His kingdom banner, then it is “Instead of”. I know this seems extreme, but we are in an extreme war. It is all or nothing. Imagine if our country had an ambassador that refused to fly our flag over his building?  But, instead flew a flag for every country. It is important to proclaim the King. Even if it is a church, it cannot be assumed they serve God.

Many churches are “Instead of”. They do good works, but the name of the King is just a side thing.  Am I saying that a Christian restaurant owner must call his business “Jesus’ House Of Pancakes“?  No.  But, the Lord would be served and represented in some way none the less, as the Holy Spirit leads them personally. A person answers to the Lord.

So, what is the job of the Holy Spirit? He convicts people of Sin, Righteousness, and of Judgment In order to save them. (John 16:7-11) Imagine a King with a vast kingdom, and a usurper who rose up and caused a portion of that kingdom to rebel against the King. The King wants this rebellious land back. But, He also must deal with the rebels. So, He sends a decree to the rebellious land.  Saying “All is forgiven, simply confess Me as your Lord, and when I come to take back what is Mine, you will not be swept away with the rebels.”  (Romans 10:9-10, Matt. 25:31-46)  The Holy Spirit works to save people. He works to keep the saints on the straight path, serving the Lord and fighting the enemy.

The antichrist spirit in essence does the same thing, but for Satan’s kingdom. It works to keep people from being saved. It convicts people of sin also, just enough to let a person say, “I’m not a bad person, I do good things” in order to keep them from turning to God. 

It convicts of righteousness, but it is not a righteousness based upon believing God, it is a righteousness based upon doing good things, and avoiding the bad, often re-interpreting what is bad and what is good. It even convicts of Judgment, but it is a judgment based upon whether you have been really bad, or a “hope so” judgment, or a judgment based upon whether they are better than someone else.  Or a judgment based upon Karma. All of this works to keep a person from turning to Jesus the King, to be saved.

Another job of the Holy Spirit is to teach, or to bring into Truth. He is called the Spirit of Truth. (John 15:26, John16:12-13, 1 John 2:27)  Likewise, the spirit of antichrist teaches the children of Satan. He is called “the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience”, People who are not with the Lord, and serve the Enemy. When I say “disobedience” I am not saying commit sins. Every human sins. I’m saying they do not serve the Lord. (Eph. 2:1-3). 

The spirit of antichrist also brings his people into “truth”. But, it is a lie. Back to our example of the orphanage, the antichrist spirit will agree with Christians that the orphanage needs to be built, and might even spearhead the work. But, Jesus will be moved to the background. See? It is a truth that the orphanage is needed, and will help the children. It is good. No one can argue with that. It’s True!  But, from Gods perspective it is not true, because it is not done in Jesus name. It’s not for the Kingdom. Go ahead and build the orphanage if needed, but don’t pretend it’s for God, if His name isn’t on it or He’s not a part of it.

Let us look at Noah. God told him of a flood and to build an ark to save people, and animals; but what if the antichrist spirit had whispered into the mind of Noah. “Yea hath God said….?”  Or “Did God really say?”  Then, it led Noah to add to, or take away from what God told him, Or to go to the right or left of it. So, Noah builds an orphanage on stilts. An orphanage is good, it will save children, and putting it on stilts is wise, and would protect from a normal flood. But, it is not what God told him to do, and it would have led to disaster. See? True, but not true. Good, but not good. The Enemy doesn’t care if you love people just don’t bring them to Jesus. See?  Love is good. It’s true. But, it doesn’t save. If it is not under the banner of the Lord, then it does not lead people to turn to Him. That makes it false. I understand this is very extreme, and I fail in it as well.

The antichrist spirit will also seek to destroy the entire idea of Truth.  This is done by claiming that there is no absolute Truth. That everything is relative and that there is no standard. Claiming there is no absolute Truth is itself an absolute. It is ridiculous. This spirit creates another standard of what is considered good, such as political correctness. It teaches another “truth” that it claims has been hidden by the Church, so they can control the masses, fulfill greed or oppress. Understand, it is the antichrist spirit, which has infiltrated the church that does these things. The only Truth the real Church holds is Jesus Christ and Him crucified, there is nothing to hide.  (1 Cor. 2:1-5)

The other job of the Holy Spirit is to teach and use the saints to build the Kingdom of God on earth, and fight the enemy. Likewise, the antichrist spirit teaches and uses his children to build the Anti-Christ Kingdom, and wage war against the saints. 

Let’s go back in history, and move forward. When we look in the book of Daniel we see the king had a dream of an idol. This idol had different sections of different types of materials, a gold head, silver chest, etc., each section representing a different kingdom in human history. But, the statue is one statue. It tells us that even though they are different human kingdoms, they are all one kingdom ruled by Satan from the beginning, when Adam handed dominion over to him. (Daniel 2:1-49, Gen. 3:1-24)

The antichrist spirit has worked to infiltrate every human institution with his children, or even to create new institutions, teaching its doctrines through religion, academia, science, and all forms of media. Starting before the Flood, then Sumer, Babylon, and Egypt where humans found writings not destroyed by the Flood, and were taught by the antichrist spirit, unclean spirits, demons and fallen angels. Mystery schools, esoteric knowledge, a vein of belief that has worked to build the world kingdom for Lucifer, even to this modern day.

Through false religions, philosophies and secret societies  moving through time, ancient writings, plays, art, magik, alchemy even growing into modern science, music, modern publishing, “news” , movies, tv programming, universities, public schools, all spreading the belief system that existed from before the Flood. This antichrist spirit moves and works through people to accomplish the goals of Lucifer in building the Anti-Christ kingdom.  Of course, God uses these mediums as well. He uses schools, and art, and music, etc.  I am not condemning science, or schools, or any of the things mentioned. They are tools or mediums for delivering a message. The message is what matters. 

The antichrist spirit created different religions to counter God’s work and Christianity later on. It helped infiltrate the church and create a false church, or fill good churches with false doctrine, false leaders and followers. When we read the New Testament we can see that the Apostle Paul is constantly fighting against a false belief system that kept popping up. This was the workings of the antichrist spirit and its agents.

Government likewise, has been taken over and filled with those who listen to the promptings of this spirit, who are taught and led by it. For centuries, this has occurred Popes, Kings, Queens, Emperors, Tsars, Chiefs, Senators, Presidents and even the common folk in important positions, led by this spirit. 

Finance and business is led by this spirit as well, binding the world in debt, controlling it, dictating behind the scenes what will occur, leading it to an eventual conclusion of economic collapse and the introduction of a new economic system. This will be tied to the Mark of the Beast, and requiring an acceptance of Lucifer and this ancient belief system. This spirit is working to build a global corporate business network that will help be the infrastructure for the control system of the Beast. What will be viewed and praised as a good thing, and the ultimate solution, will actually be total control and spiritual death.

All of this working to build the Anti-Christ Kingdom, so the Anti-Christ can do his final work. To rule as god. To be worshiped as god. This antichrist spirit is even helping to build the Temple of God, so he can sit in the Temple as god. (Eze 28:1-19,  Isa 14:12-20,  Dan. 11:36, 2 Thess. 2:1-12). Are all humans involved?  Yes, some knowingly, and some not. Like the Holy Spirit, the spirit of antichrist has his ministers. They are people who are gifted and operate within their field to help build the Utopian Global System. Or those who are just doing their jobs, not knowing it will lead to the final world system.  Does not the politician who passes laws that will open the doors to enemy rule, help build the kingdom? Whether he knows it or not?  Does not the businessman help the kingdom when he obeys certain ideologies in his business or embrace certain restrictions or technologies? Whether he realizes it or not, does he not help in the building? Or perhaps the church that accepts tax exempt status, which silences and eventually controls them?  Are they not helping?  Whether knowingly or unknowingly? Or the consumer who buys certain products, or watches certain shows that brainwashes them. Are they not helping?  What about votes? Is a voter responsible when they unknowingly vote an agent of Lucifer into power, locally or nationally?   Have they not helped? They might not be guilty, but they have helped.

In the Gospels we see the Holy Spirit working from the beginning. He comes into John the Baptist from birth, and makes him a prophet whose job it is to “Make His paths straight” Preparing a way for the Lord.  (Matt. 3:1-3, Luke 1:8-15)Likewise, the spirit of antichrist will eventually fill a person who will be a prophet. That prophet will be the False Prophet of Revelation.   It will be this prophet’s job, to prepare the way, to make the paths straight, for Satan’s Messiah, the Anti-Christ. The False Prophet will point out who this Anti-Christ is, calling him the Messiah, Christ, An Ascended Master incarnate, Jesus reincarnated,  A new incarnation of the past Christs, The Great Teacher to come, another Guide to help us make our next evolutionary leap, or any such title or description, causing the world to worship him. Just like John the Baptist filled with the Holy Spirit said “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1: 29-34, Rev. 12:11-12)

The history of the world is a story of the workings of God and the workings of the Enemy to fulfill the plans they have spoken, whether it is to save people for all eternity, and restore His Kingdom in Gods case, or to build a kingdom, so that he might be worshiped as god for a short time, in the case of Lucifer. Once you understand this, history takes on a new meaning, and so does our present, and our future.  God is calling you to Him. Ask Him to save you, in Jesus name.

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Photos by the Author 

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What Is My Purpose?

 What Is My Purpose?

 We are all called by God to serve.

 

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

²⁰ Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.— Matt. 28:19-20 (Mark 16:15, Luke 24:46-48, Acts 1:8)

Our purpose as humans is to reconnect with our Creator.

He came to save us, and when we turn to Him and Confess Jesus Is the Lord, believing in Him and putting our faith in Him alone. We are saved. We are born again. (Rom 10:9-10, John 3)

Jesus died to save us and rose from the dead for our justification.
He then ascended alive into Heaven.

But, before He left He gave us the Great Commission. That is our call to service.

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.—Acts 1:8

As Born Again Saints, we are called to serve God and others. We want to lead people to know Jesus and be saved. It’s that simple. Everything we do serves that ultimate goal. We want everyone saved.

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.— Mark 16:15

Through this work, our relationship with God grows. He works in us, on us, and through us.

This is our purpose. This does not save us, but it is what we do because we are thankful for what God has done for us, and it’s not even us doing it. It’s Him.

What does this mean?

Well we are yoked together with Him. (Matt 11:28-30)

That is two oxen pulling a cart together, but He is honestly doing most of the work.

²⁸ Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

²⁹ Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

³⁰ For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.—Matt 11:28-30

You don’t have to be a Bible expert. But, you really need to read, believe and study the Word. The Spirit will lead you to do this, and will lead you to a church of some kind, and teachers or guides. The Holy Spirit is our ultimate teacher. Remember that. He guides us as we keep turning to Him. (Prov. 3:5-6)

The first thing you need is your testimony. That is the story of how Jesus saved you. It’s stories of how God has worked in your life, answers to prayer and miraculous things He has shown you.

This is the story of the relationship you have with Him, and this is the story you can share with others, to tell them about Jesus.

Like the Gadarene Demoniac. Jesus drove the demons out of him, then told the man to “Go tell your family and friends the great things God has done for you” (Mark Chapter 5)

That’s what we do.

We don’t need to be a famous evangelist, or have a preaching degree or work for a church. Just go and tell.

This is how we earn treasures and rewards in Heaven. (Matt. 6:19-21)

It’s like an account stored in Paradise and written in the books. As saints, we are not Judged regarding our sin, but we are judged based upon what we did and did not do for the Kingdom.

We receive treasure, authority and rewards for fighting the fight of faith for the Kingdom. Leading people to Jesus and telling people what he has taught us, and our testimony. As well, as what we have given to help others or serve.

Pray about it.

One of the most powerful prayers you can pray is.

“Lord, bring me someone I can help or bless. Bring me someone I can tell about Jesus. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.”

When you pray this, you better be ready. Don’t fail.

We live busy lives and we do not always remember to witness or help others. But, when we pray this prayer things will happen.

You might get stuck for a long time in a waiting room with a person hurting. Pray for them. Pray with them. Strike up a conversation, and then drop God in the middle of it and see what happens.

You might get stuck at a traffic light for a long time, while a homeless man stares at you. Whip out some cash, and give it. Pray for them. That pause you feel is the devil trying to scare you. Push through it.

Now, be ready. Because when you serve God the enemy will attack. You might face persecution. You might get cussed at. You might get insulted and get mad. Just pray about it and move on. It’s part of it.

But, you gotta act fast. Because once the devil sees what is going on he will move in to try to mess things up. The phone will ring, kids will cry, the dog will howl, fear will rise up and the clock will tick. (John 9:4)

When you pray this prayer, you might not see the opportunities arise, but you will be reminded of the prayer, either before or after the encounter. If it’s before, do not fear. Just move forward and start talking about anything. Then, let the Spirit move through you. If your intent is real, the power and words will come.

If you are reminded afterward, do not let Satan wrack you with grief. Just pray for the person and yourself, then do better next time.

I have had chances to tell someone about Jesus and didn’t. Then, hear they died the next day. Do, what the Spirit leads you to do.

Family members, and close friends can be the worst. You will lose some. Some will rejoice, and others will hate you. It’s part of it. You might find Thanksgiving dinner is a battle field and not a joy.

Jesus said “A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house.”—Matt. 13:57

Meaning that you can go all over the world serving God and the people back home will still treat you without honor.

Because they know you. They saw you growing up. They remember the sins and how you used to be. They can’t get over it. They even treated Jesus this way, and He never sinned.

Even as a Christian they see you fail and sin. They see you being a human, and not the super savior they expect. They also want you to fail, because you are a reminder of their own short comings, and need of a savior.

Pray for them.

I have prayed for my entire family for years, and I have seen massive changes, and protection from the Lord.

As a believer we must serve. It’s part of our growth and relationship with the Lord.

I want to show you a verse.

“For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.“—2 Thess. 3:10

Many Christians use this verse as a justification to not help the poor. But, it turns around on them, because what if God uses the verse too?

If we are not working for the Lord, we will not get fed spiritually.

Consider it.

I have learned and grown so much through serving God. My healings, and blessing have come through serving and getting up and going.

Even a plain old job is a place to serve.

Trust me, I’m not one of these happy happy happy workers. I’m a terrible employee. But, I do the work and I work hard, and when the Spirit calls me to to do the Lord’s work, I move. A job provides many chances to serve the Lord.

A Saint serves

When Jesus comes He doesn’t ask if you watched porn, or ate shellfish, or drank beer, or cussed or gambled. He doesn’t ask about your sex life or your hate or idols or anger.

He asks about what you did for the least of these thy brethren. (Matt. 25:31-46)

If you are saved you are washed of all those sins, but if you are saved, the Spirit in you will lead you to serve. You can’t help but to serve. It becomes who you are.

We serve according to our giftedness and ministry callings. There are many ways to serve in our lives. Often times it happens by chance. Not even a ministry at all, you just meet people and then do what the Spirit leads you to do. Pray for them, give to them, help them, or tell them about Jesus.

Even if you are terrified and cannot bring yourself to do anything, you can pray for them, and you can give to ministries that are doing the work. (Matt. Chapter 25)

Don’t be a goat on the day He returns and He judges the nations and believers. (Matt. 25:31-46)

You must realize that both goats and sheep are clean animals. But the goats, never really knew the Lord. If they did they would have served.

We do not earn our salvation, but when we know the Lord, certain things eventually will happen. We will change and we will serve. This is not about judging others. It is about judging ourselves and making sure we really know Him.

Praise Jesus, and pass the ammunition, as they say.

We got work to do and a war to wage.

Get busy.

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Picture by pexels 

Saving Faith

 Saving Faith

 What is it really?

 

 

 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

² Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

³ Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

⁴ But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

⁵ Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

⁶ And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

⁷ That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

⁸ For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

⁹ Not of works, lest any man should boast.

¹⁰ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.— Eph. 2:1-10

These verse in Ephesians Chapter 2 give us great insight into what happens with Grace and Faith and Works, in relation to our salvation.

Understand that the word “Quickened” means to bring to life.

The word is used because we are considered dead, before we get saved. We are utterly depraved. We are walking with Satan. We do not know God or have anything to do with Him or care. We are dead, which means separated from Him.

The verse above shows that ALL humans are in the same boat. Except for babies and young children before they reach the age of accountability. They do not understand Law, or Sin or anything else. They face death; like all humans, but not Hell. They have not committed the first sin, knowing it is a sin which condemns them and us.

We suffer Death, enslavement to Satan, a Corrupted Nature and the potential for Hell/Lake of Fire because of Adam’s sin. BUT… We actually go there because we commit the first sin, knowing it is a sin.

We all commit that first sin. We all have walked in sin, and face Hell. We all face eternal death. Which is separation from God in the garbage dump of Hell/Lake of Fire. The Bible wants us to understand this.

“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,“

God came to save us from this. That is Grace.

He calls us. That is Grace.

He helps us to see our need for Him. That is Grace.

He holds back the forces of darkness for moments in our lives so we can see clearly to run to Him. That is Grace.

He gives each of us the faith to be saved. That is Grace.

Because we are saved by Grace THROUGH Faith.

This is important because there are false beliefs on the matter.

We are not saved by Faith. We are saved by Grace THROUGH Faith.

God who created us gave us this faith at birth. (Rom. 12:3)

He gave a measure of faith to every human.

Enough to be saved.

Jesus says that faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains. (Matt. 17:20)

There is a false belief that says that God gives us faith to be saved, just before we get saved. If this is true, then God is deciding who goes to hell and who doesn’t. This flies in the face of the idea that He died for all of us and seeks to save all of us.

He gives us faith, when He knits us together in our mother’s womb. (Jer. 1:5)

That faith is what gives us hope that the sun will rise. It lets us have faith that a chair will support us when we sit down. It is faith that helps us trust that we have a job every morning we get up to go out.

That is natural faith.

That faith, as little as it might be is enough for us to believe God, and hear His call, and turn to Him. It is enough to confess Jesus as our Lord and be saved.

We can put that faith in whatever we want. Religion. Work. Money. Politics. Family. or the Eagle that lives on the yonder mountain.

But, none of those things will save us. Only Jesus Christ saves.

When we put our faith in Jesus He saves us and gives us His Holy Spirit.

From that point, the Lord starts growing us and building a relationship with us.

That is when our faith grows.

Like exercise builds the body. Seeing the movements of God, and seeing Him respond to the Truth of His Word, builds our faith.

Trusting God and seeing Him move builds our faith.

Like exercise, we build muscle by going to muscle failure. Where we cannot lift the weight but need help.

Faith is the same. God will often wait till we are spent, and cannot go any more. Then, He shows up in power, and our faith grows.

So, what is “Saving Faith?”

Saving faith; is the faith you put in the Lord to believe and trust in Him, at His call.

We can look at the Parable of the Sower in Matthew Chapter 13 to get some idea.

The sower goes forth to sow, the Word of the Kingdom.

This is the Gospel or the Word of God. It is the promises of God or a Word he gives us to wake us up to Him.

Some people get this Word, and do not understand it or believe it. The devil immediately comes and wipes it away. Demons whisper into the mind. “That’s not true.” “What about this…” “Those people are hypocrites, remember what they did to you…”

This does not mean God quits trying. He never quits. Love doesn’t quit. But, that doesn’t mean you have time to hear again.

Some people hear the Word, and agree. They like what is said, and they try to live it. But, it is by their own flesh. They did not really give themselves to the Lord and put their faith in Him alone.

So, when trouble comes or people make fun of them or punish them for trying to live right, they quit. Remember, this is a heart issue. This is a truth issue with God. It is not about appearances.

There are people living their whole life at church, in this state of half-belief. They have the “appearance of Godliness but deny the power thereof,”. They believe, but have never really accepted.

Next in the parable are people who hear the Word. They hear the call. They believe, but again never really accept it. They never confess Jesus as Lord. They try to save themselves, but “the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.”

A person who knows the Lord, cannot lose their salvation. Once you have it, you are saved forever. The Lord will protect you, hold you and grow you. The person above never really had faith in the Lord. They believed, at some point but that belief did not push them beyond this life. They never really accepted or confessed Jesus is the Lord.

This matters in these last days. Because as things get worse, and persecution comes knocking, these are the people who will fall away. They have claimed Christ. They attend church. But, have never really known Him. So, when the Anti-Christ rises up, they will turn from God and join the Apostate Church.

Last, is the person who hears the Word, believes it, and moves forward to accept Jesus as their Lord and receives the Holy Spirit. This person “heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”

The “Understanding” is not total understanding of all things Gospel. It is an understanding of their need. It is a light shining into the darkness of their fallen state, and they leap for the Lord.

It is not a “I’m going to become a Christian” kind of faith. It is a “My life is ruined and I need God,” kind of faith.

It is a faith that God sees. It is the faith of a child to believe things, no matter what the world tells you. (Matt. 18:3-4)

Saving faith, is faith that is real. It is faith that God accepts.

This faith hears the Word, and really believes and accepts. This faith grows in the good ground prepared by God by His grace.

God prepares us to hear, by whatever means will best serve the purpose.

But, it is our faith, and where put that faith, that leads to salvation.

That salvation brings us the Holy Spirit, and He grows us and changes us. He leads us into serving God and Serving others. He grows the fruit in us. He Walks in the Spirit with us. These are the works we do.

Works from God, and through God. Works God shows us to let us know we are saved and walking with Him. (Rom. 8:16)

It doesn’t matter what anyone says.

It only matters what God says.

Listen for Him, and let your faith flow to Him.

And you will grow in the good ground of His grace, mercy and love.

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The Mother Of All Living

 The Mother Of All Living

The First Mother 

 

“And Adam called his wife’s name Eve; because she was the mother of all living.“— Gen 3:20

She was created after Adam; to be his helpmate. To be his companion.

We do not know how long Adam was alone before God caused him to fall into a deep sleep, and removed a rib from his side to fashion the woman.

But, when he saw her he said, “This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.”

This is picture is much like the creation of the Church, the bride of Christ.

He died and a spear was thrust into His side, and out came Blood and Water. And all those who follow Him are made a part of His Church by Blood and Water. (John 19:34)

When I speak of “Church” there is the earthly fleshly church, and the eternal church of all saints saved from the beginning until the end. They are not always the same.

She is a picture of all those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. The Mother of all the living.

We see her and her husband in the Garden when the Serpent came.

The Serpent was not a snake. It was a Dragon. A Dinosaur. It was being used by Satan to deceive the first couple.

Notice in Revelation it says,

“And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world” —Rev 12:9

The Dragon spoke to Eve, saying

“Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?“

Satan is a deceiver, and the best lies are often told between two truths?

And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:

³ But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.

She answered him, and gave the warning that God had given Adam when he was placed in the Garden before Eve was created. (Gen. 2:16-17)

If you look at the two warnings, the one God gave Adam and the one Eve recited to Satan, you will see that she added to the Word of God. “Neither shall ye touch it”

And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:

For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

Satan tells Eve that God’s Word is not true. “Ye shall not surely die”

Then, he goes on and gives an ulterior motive for why God is denying her the fruit of the tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.

Basically, Satan causes her to doubt God’s Word, and His Goodness.

This is what he does in every instance of temptation. He causes us to doubt the truth of God’s Word, and/or His goodness.

Satan also offers a promise to humanity.

“Ye shall be as gods”

It is the driving force of unsaved human effort. The drive to rise up and become gods ourselves. To create a global kingdom, and live forever, without God. To evolve into something more, without God.

To build a tower to the heavens, and make a name for ourselves and be as gods. To dominate and defeat all obstacles, even death, as we rise. (Gen. 11:1-9)

But, it’s all a lie.

And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

Now, if we continue with our analogy of Eve being the Church, the Bride of Christ.

What do we see?

We see the Church created by God through the Blood of Jesus Christ, and the Water of baptism. (1 John 1:7, Romans 6:4, 1 Peter 3;21, 1 John 5:1-15)

We see that we are already in Paradise, Heaven, the Garden. If we are Saved. (Rom. 8:1, John 5:24, Luke 23:43)

We see that we may freely eat of all the trees in the garden except ONE.

We are washed, saved forever, and have liberty and freedom in Christ Jesus (Gal. 5:1, Gal. 2:4, Gal. 5:13, 1 Cor. 6:12, 1 Cor. 10:23)

But, we see the woman, or Church adding to the Word of God.

“Neither shall ye touch it”; and opening the doors for more deception from Satan. (Gal 2:4, Gal. 3:1-29,)

We went from God’s Grace and freedom to freely eat of all the fruits, except one; to where we cannot TOUCH it either.

Then the Church listens to Satan even more and eats of the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, because they doubted God’s Word and Doubted His Goodness, and listened to Satan instead of God. (Gal 2:4, Gal. 3:1-29)

And what happens next?

And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.

They made aprons.

Meaning that they tried to fix their nakedness problem by their own ability. By their own works.

That is the deception the Church falls into.

Instead of operating in the grace of God, and the freedom we have in Christ, they add to the Word of God. They doubt His Goodness. They teach the knowledge of good and evil, or morality without Christ, having a form of godliness but denying the power there of. ()

And it leads to a works based doctrine, where people try to save themselves instead of trusting Christ. (Gal 2:4, Gal. 3:1-29)

And that leads to death. Eternal separation from God. Because they have never known Him, nor confessed Him as Lord. (Rom. 10:9-10)

Do you see it?

Then, comes God and saves them. He covers their nakedness by His own power, not by their effort. Not by the religion they created out of fear of nakedness.

God is our only source for salvation.

Turning to Him, and confessing Jesus Christ as Lord, through faith. (Rom. 10:9-10)

He calls us to Him, and He uses the curse as a tool to do that.

Notice, He tells the Serpent.

“ And the Lord God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:

¹⁵ And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.“

This curse led to the death of the dinosaurs in the Flood, except for a few on the Ark. Leaving only reptiles, which crawl mostly on their belly.

Notice God tells the Serpent Satan, that he will eat dust. Notice that Man is called dust. (Gen 3:19)

God handed man over to Satan. Satan took dominion of the Earth and rules over man. When Adam ate, we became corrupt and slaves to Satan. That is our fallen state. Jesus sets us free from this, when we turn to Him.

Remember the woman is the church. We are at war with Satan. There is a division between the saved and unsaved people of the world. It is also speaking of Jesus Christ who will die on the cross and defeat Satan. Jesus comes from the Bloodline, which is directly from Adam and Eve. Her children lead to Abraham, Moses and David. Then, to the Lord Himself.

She is the mother of all living. She is the mother of all saved. Whether through the Bloodline, or the Blood of Jesus Christ, through the preaching of the Church.

Next God lays a curse on the Woman,

Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.

This is talking about the pregnancy of the woman being hard. But, it’s more than that. The woman was created to be the help meet. So, her curse goes with that. The woman’s emotions for her children and husband are increased. She suffers in her love for them. It is talking about a mother’s love. She desires to help her husband but He does not have to listen. Her love for her husband and children are agony.

Why did God do this?

Because we is trying to save people. The purpose of the curse, is to get women to turn to God for help. To get her to pray for her children and husband. To get her to turn to God in her pain, so God will get her husband and children to listen and be safe, and saved.

God is the only hope. Turning to Him is the reason for the curse.

If we continue with the analogy that the woman is the Church. We can see the difficulty and agony in spreading the Gospel. Desiring for Christ to come, while being ruled by Him in His absence. Trusting he is with us always, even till the end of the Earth.

Next we see,

And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;

¹⁸ Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;

¹⁹ In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

Paul says the man was not deceived. He knew He was committing Sin. (1 Tim. 2:14)

Notice first, that God tells Adam exactly what his sin was. “Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree,”

Why?

Because Adam listened to his wife instead of listening to God. Not because he was a bad family leader. Not because he didn’t stop Eve from eating the fruit.

God plainly states, Because he listened to his wife instead of God.

This brings us back to her curse, where God gives the man authority to not listen to her, any more and she suffers from it.

Now we come back to God’s desire for salvation.

Notice God does not curse Adam. He curses the ground. He cursed the Serpent and the Woman. But not Adam. He curses the ground instead.

This leads to Adam or men having to work his butt off to provide for himself and others. This hard work, is like the suffering of the woman. It is designed to get the man to turn to God for help. Which leads to salvation.

That is God’s reason for the Curse. To save humans, not punish them.

Death has entered the world, and death leads to competition for survival. Thorns and thistles always existed, but now they strive with other plants to survive. Animals also, which formerly ate plants, now struggle and compete to survive.

Humans and all animals formerly ate fruits, veggies and nuts.

But, because of death and competition.

Humans are now told to eat grains, and make bread. It is the Agricultural Revolution. It will help humans survive.

And again, we see the reference to Dust. Satan or the serpent dragon is told to eat dust, and the man is called dust.

God handed humanity over to Satan, because when Adam listened to his wife, he was also listening to Satan and chose to follow Him.

Remember, God loves us and seeks to save us. Everything He does is designed to get us to turn to Him for salvation and help.

If we are willing.

God told the woman that the man would not listen. Likewise, we are free to stop following false doctrine from the Church when it goes against God’s Word.

And that day will come.

As Satan works and use all things to build his Anti-Christ kingdom. The Church or Woman, in this world will be drawn to join him in his efforts.

The believers in this world in these last days will be tempted, like Adam, to partake of the false teachings. To follow the works based doctrine. To eat of whatever lie, Satan will bring upon the whole world, and perish with them, if they do not really know the Lord.

The saints will refuse the temptation and face persecution and death by Satan and his Anti-Christ. (Rev. 13:7, Dan. 7:21)

And the Lord will return; walking in the cool of the day to save us and bring His everlasting Kingdom, crushing the head of the Serpent.

As a rock cut out without hands, to strike the kingdom of the enemy and watch it blow away in the might of His power. (Dan. 2)

It is all by design from day one.

It is all by the power of the Lord.

We are saved by Jesus alone.

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 Picture by pexels.

Elder Brother, Younger Brother

 Elder Brother, Younger Brother

A Word on Acceptance

 

In the parable of the prodigal son, we see many truths about our spiritual lives. But, there is one aspect that I would like to point out here. (Luke 15:11-32) First we have the prodigal son who goes into the world and lives for himself. He lives a riotous life, that mirrors what a rock star might live. You get the picture. He took the blessings of the father and went into the world and partied with it.
      

We also see in the parable that there is an elder brother, who stays at home with the father. He obeys everything the father tells him to obey. He lives a humble, austere life at home. He never ventures out into the world very far. He grows bitter, resentful, and judgmental. He feels he is owed a blessing for obedience.
      

We can see these two characters played out today in our churches. You have the person who grew up living in the world and went full tilt in it. Then trouble comes into his life and God uses that time of trouble to draw him to be saved. Then, the person starts trying to live right and do what they are being led by God to do. But, they are still very rough around the edges, and know it. They then come to church where they encounter the elder brother.
      

This is the person who grew up in church. The elder brother never strayed too far from the laws of God. Oh sure they “sinned”.  They missed church that Sunday, and kissed a boy behind the woodshed. They went to that party and got drunk and had to call their parents from jail that one time. “Never again!” they promised God, and they kept it. But, they did other things secretly, or unknowingly, or unadmittedly.
      

The Elder Brother thinks, whether they know it or not, “This guy comes to the church, because he’s in trouble. He took the life, and the gifts, and the image of God and then wallowed in the mud with the pigs. He’s not well churched. He doesn’t talk right. He’s rough, and he doesn’t fit in. He will never totally fit in. He still smokes, he cusses, he has a woman he meets, he drinks, and he just tries to hide it all. He won’t last long.”
      

The younger brother feels it. He can feel that some people in the church will never accept him because of who he was. He can tell by how they look at him and exclude him, that he is not one of them. Oh sure they invite him. But, it feels like charity or pity. He hears the sermons and listens to the teachings and knows he doesn’t measure up. He knows that he never will. But, they all seem to. They seem to be perfect, even though he knows they aren’t. Next Sunday he’ll just sleep in.
      

This scenario plays out in churches all across this land. Someone wants to change their lives, but the perfect people become a stumbling block to them. The person who has been involved in church their whole life cannot understand that the person who has been in the world, has many layers of things that God must remove over time. It doesn’t happen overnight.  A person gets saved the minute they confess Jesus as their Lord, but it takes a life time to get totally healed of the damage that has been done to them.

Don’t let the elder brother drive you away from God or from church. Church is a place to learn, and to grow. It is a place to serve and reach out to others. It has great value in your spiritual walk. Seek people in your church who have a similar background, or who are more understanding. They are there. Pray and ask God to show you. Likewise, Elder brothers need to realize this occurs and figure out ways to make it easier for folks to integrate into the Body.   

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Photo by the author.

Joy Comes In The Morning

 Joy Comes In The Morning

God is with us 

 

 

“For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”— Psalm 30:5

Things happen in our lives. Terrible things that break us and drag us down. Things that we cannot control and  ruin us. Things that make us weep in our beds at night in agony.

This world is a terrible place.

It was created good by God, but has become corrupted.

God is our friend

He is Love. He is on our side and calls us through the darkness and pain.

He is the calm after the raging storms on the sea of despair.

He is our shepherd in a world filled with savage beasts seeking to devour.

He calls us and seeks us.

Even when we get angry at Him and blame Him.

Even when the entire world and our own mind tells us it’s His fault.

When the enemy whispers that God is against us.

The Lord is there, with a still small voice asking us to turn to Him.

There are things we do not understand. But He does.

He will comfort us, and teach us and grow us and help us to understand.

He will save us and dwell with us and in us.

When we turn to Him and ask him to save us and put our faith in Him, confessing Jesus as our Lord.

He moves in our soul.

He brings us from darkness and we see Him move in our lives.

Then, He fills us and we see the truth of Him.

We see He was with us in the darkness. He was with us in the despair. He was with us when we were hiding from Him. He was there.

And all that fear we had.

All that anger toward Him, will turn to joy.

And when we fall into that deep long sleep, we will awake with Him in the morning.

And every day will be new in Him.

He is all there is, and all there ever will be.